CN111988992A

CN111988992A - Method for producing silk blocks of bag moth larva spun silk

Info

Publication number: CN111988992A
Application number: CN201980025976.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 吉冈太阳; 龟田恒德; 浅沼章宗; 服部庆太郎; 福冈宣彦
Original assignee: Research Institute Of Food And Nutrition; Kowa Co Ltd
Current assignee: Research Institute Of Food And Nutrition; Kowa Co Ltd; National Agriculture and Food Research Organization
Priority date: 2018-04-16
Filing date: 2019-04-16
Publication date: 2020-11-24
Also published as: EP3782466A4; JP7386482B2; US20210161115A1; JPWO2019203228A1; WO2019203228A1; EP3782466A1

Abstract

A method for producing a silk piece with high spinning recovery efficiency without causing mechanical damage to bracket spun silk of a bagworm laid on a base material is developed and provided. The bag moth larvae and a solvent-soluble base material are arranged together, the bag moth larvae spit out bracket spun silk on the surface of the base material, then the base material is dissolved by a solvent, and the bracket spun silk is separated.

Description

Method for producing silk blocks of bag moth larva spun silk

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a method for producing silk lumps formed from scaffold spun silk derived from larvae of moths belonging to the family Bombycidae, i.e. the larvae of Bombycis mori.

Background

Silk constituting cocoons of insects and wool of mammals have been used as animal fibers for clothing and the like since ancient times. In particular, spun silk derived from silkworms (frequently referred to as "silkworm spun silk" in the present specification) as larvae of Bombyx mori (Bombyx mori) is currently being valued as a high-grade natural material because it is excellent in moisture absorption and desorption properties, moisture retention properties, and heat retention properties, and has a unique luster and smooth skin touch.

However, in nature, there are animal fibers having properties comparable to or higher than those of silk. In recent years, research and development have been advanced for the purpose of effectively using animal fibers having such excellent properties as new natural materials.

Of these, silks derived from spiders (in the present specification, often referred to as "spider silks") have attracted attention. Spider silks have flexibility, stretchability, and high elasticity 5 to 6 times that of polystyrene, and are expected as medical materials such as surgical sutures and special materials such as disaster prevention ropes and protective clothing (non-patent documents 1 and 2). However, spider silks have problems that they cannot be mass-produced because of the difficulty in raising large quantities of spiders and collecting large quantities of silks from spiders, and that the production cost is high. This problem is attempted to be solved by producing spider silk using a host such as silkworm or escherichia coli by using a gene recombination technique (patent documents 1 and 2). However, since silkworms and escherichia coli producing spider silks are genetically recombinant, they can only be bred and cultured in facilities equipped with predetermined facilities, and there is a problem that the burden of maintenance and management is large. In addition, there is a problem that a liquid spider silk protein expressed in Escherichia coli needs to be converted into a fiber, and the number of steps increases accordingly. Further, the spider silk discharged from genetically modified silkworms has a problem that it is not always mixed with several percent (several%) of silkworm silk at the present stage, and cannot be obtained as 100% spider silk that can effectively utilize the characteristics of spider silk at 100%.

In addition, there are insects such as bagworm larvae (also known as bag work). The bagworm larvae are a generic name of larvae of moths belonging to the family baghiadae (Lepidoptera), and are generally known to be buried in a spindle-shaped or cylindrical nest formed by winding leaves and twigs with filaments as shown in fig. 1, and to move together with the nest when eating, and live together with the nest in all larval stages.

Spun silk that is spit out by the bagworm larvae (in the present specification, often referred to as "bagworm larva spun silk") has recently attracted attention as a new natural material having animal fiber properties that is superior to those of silkworm spun silk and spider silk. For example, regarding the elastic modulus, silk thread of a bagworm moth larva of a tea bagworm moth (Eumeta minuscula) is 3.5 times as much as silk thread of a silkworm, and is 2.5 times as much as spider silk of a dryoclada clavuligerus (Nephila clavata), and the silk has a very strong strength of ao (non-patent documents 1 and 2). Further, since the silk-like fabric has not only the same luster and beauty as silk but also the cross-sectional area of the single fibers is only about 1/7 of the cross-sectional area of the single fibers of silk, it is possible to produce a thin and light fabric having a finer texture and smoother skin touch than silk.

In the aspect of breeding, the bagworm larvae also have advantages compared with silkworms and spiders. Since the bagworm larvae are phytophagous as in silkworms, unlike predatory spiders, the bagworm larvae can easily supply food and stably supply the food. Further, even if the phytophagy is the same, it is advantageous compared with silkworms. For example, since silkworms principally feed only fresh leaves belonging to the genus Morus (e.g., mulberry (m.bombycis), white mulberry (m.alba), and white mulberry (m.ihou), the rearing area and rearing period are affected by the supply area of mulberry leaves and the leaf opening period of mulberry. On the other hand, bagworm larvae are europathic, have low specificity for bait leaves, and many species can use leaves of various tree species as food. Therefore, the bait leaves are easily obtained, and the breeding area is not selected. Further, since the leaves of evergreen trees may be bait leaves depending on the species, unlike mulberry leaves of deciduous trees, the bait leaves can be supplied all year round. Further, since the size of the bagworm larvae is small as compared with silkworms, it is sufficient that the rearing space is equal to or less than that of silkworms, and a large amount of bagworms can be reared easily. Therefore, the feeding cost can be suppressed.

Further, the bagworm larvae are also superior to silkworms in productivity. For example, silkworms spin a large amount only during cocooning, which is performed in the same period in all larvae. Therefore, the silk collecting period is overlapped, and the labor period is centralized. However, the poulards repeatedly spin during nesting and during movement throughout the larval stage. Therefore, the labor period can be dispersed by manually adjusting the silk collecting period.

As described above, silk of bagworm larvae has characteristics superior to those of silk of silkworms and spider silk, and is also advantageous in production, and therefore, is expected as a novel natural material having great promise.

However, silk from bagworms larvae also has several problems in its practical use. One is the problem associated with the characteristics of the bagworm larvae nest. Impurities such as leaves, branches and the like are bound on the surface of the young bagworms nest. This is due to the habit of the bagworm larvae that introduce surrounding twigs and leaves into the nest for color protection during the process of nest making and expansion. When the bagworm larvae are spun into silk products, it is necessary to completely remove these impurities. Conventionally, there have been employed methods of removing such impurities from a nest by hand work or removing the impurities by immersing the nest in warm water for a long time to soften the nest. However, the removal of these impurities requires a large amount of labor and time. Further, the following problems are encountered in the prior art: impurities cannot be completely removed, and finally, very few small leaves are mixed in the product, or silk of bagworms larvae is dyed into light brown color by pigments derived from impurities, and thus, only a low-quality product can be obtained. Although decolorization treatment using alkali or acid for the purpose of removing pigments can be performed, the quality is significantly reduced due to deterioration of the strength of silk of bagworms larvae and the like.

In addition, there are silk yarns such as stent silk in addition to nest silk yarns constituting nests in sack moth larva silk yarns. As shown in fig. 1B, the stent spun silk is a bagworm larva spun silk that is discharged as a looper silk for preventing the bagworm larva from falling off from twigs and the like when moving. The results of the studies by the present inventors have revealed that the scaffold spun silk is stronger and has excellent mechanical properties as compared with the nest spun silk. In addition, in the case of the bracket spun silk, impurities such as leaves, twigs and the like do not exist in a mixed manner, unlike the nest spun silk. Therefore, if the stent yarn can be used, it can be put into practical use as silk for bagworms larvae.

However, since the movement of the bagworm larvae is difficult to control and depends on the insects, the bagworm larvae move back and forth in the same place, and as a result, there is a problem that several layers of spun silk are overlapped and only a complicated entangled state (fig. 1C) is obtained. In addition, silk of pouchu moth larvae is spun in a state where a fiber component is mixed with a pasty component covering the surface thereof, but in the case of scaffold silk, the pasty component adheres to the surface of a base material of branches and leaves, and the scaffold silk is fixed to the base material. Since the fixation by the paste component is relatively strong, there is also a problem that the scaffold spun silk laminated on the base material is damaged or fragmented by mechanical peeling when the scaffold spun silk is recovered.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: WO2012/165477

Patent document 2: WO2013/065651

Non-patent document

Non-patent document 1: dazakiol, 2002, Utility society (, No. と, Engineers ),58:74-78

Non-patent document 2: gosline J.M.et al, 1999,202,3295-3303

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

The invention aims to develop and provide a method for recovering most of the bracket spun silk of bagworms spun on a substrate without damaging the bracket spun silk. Further, by using this method, silk as a scaffold for bagworms larvae is put to practical use as a new natural material.

Means for solving the problems

As a result of intensive studies to solve the above problems, the present inventors have succeeded in recovering spun scaffold silk in a substantially complete state as a silk mass state without causing any physical damage due to peeling, by taking a reverse concept of dissolving the base material itself and recovering the remaining scaffold silk without peeling the spun scaffold silk from the base material. The yarn block formed of the collected scaffold spun yarn can be used as a nonwoven fabric, and can be collected by spinning on a base material having a desired three-dimensional shape, thereby making it possible to produce a three-dimensional nonwoven fabric which is difficult to be processed from a plane. The present invention provides the following solutions based on the above-described methods.

(1) A method for producing silk blocks of silk of poult moth larvae comprises the following steps: a preparation step of preparing the bagworms larvae and the solvent-soluble base material together; a silking step of silking the bagworms on a solvent-soluble base material; a dissolving step of dissolving the solvent-soluble base material with a solvent; and a separation step of separating the bag moth larva spun silk spun on the substrate from a solvent-soluble substrate, wherein the solvent is a solvent which is not damaged, not modified and does not dissolve the bag moth larva spun silk.

(2) The method according to (1), further comprising, after the spinning step and before the dissolving step, a recovering step of: and (5) recovering the bagworms larvae and the nests together.

(3) The method according to (1) or (2), wherein the solvent is water.

(4) The method according to (1) or (2), wherein the solvent is a low-polarity solvent.

(5) A method for producing silk blocks of silk of poult moth larvae comprises the following steps: a preparation step of preparing the bagworms larvae and the hot fusible base material together; a silking procedure, namely enabling the bagworm larvae to spin on the hot fusible base material; a melting step, heating the thermal fusible base material at a temperature at which the silk of the bagworms larvae is not damaged, thermally modified and melted; and a separation step of separating the thermally fusible base material from the silk of the bagworms grown on the base material.

(6) The method according to (5), further comprising, before the spinning step and the melting step, a recovery step of: and (5) recovering the bagworms larvae and the nests together.

(7) The method according to any one of (1) to (6), further comprising a washing step of: and washing the separated silk of the bagworms larvae.

(8) The method according to any one of (1) to (7), further comprising a drying step of: and drying the separated silk of the bagworms larvae.

(9) The method according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein the substrate is disposed on a support.

(10) The method according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein the substrate has a planar shape or a three-dimensional shape.

(11) A nonwoven fabric made of silk obtained by using the silk piece production method of any one of (1) to (10) and larvae of Bombycis armoricanus.

The present specification contains the disclosure of japanese patent application No. 2018-078522, which forms the basis of the priority of the present application.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

According to the method for producing a silk cake of the present invention, bracket spun silk of bagworm larvae spun on a substrate can be collected as a silk cake at a high recovery rate without causing mechanical damage.

Drawings

In FIG. 1, A: appearance of nest of bagworms larvae of bagworms (bagworms larvae). B: a graph showing the silking behavior of a bagworm larva of a bagworm moth when the bagworm moth larva moves. The situation (arrow) in which the bagworm larvae advance while spouting the stent spun silk and the situation (thin arrow) in which the claws are hooked on the spouted stent spun silk are known. C: and (3) a diagram showing the states of silk of the bagworms when the bracket silk is spitted out on the plastic plate. The state of complicated winding of the spun stent filaments in a zigzag shape was known.

Fig. 2A is a view showing a process flow of the method for producing silk of bagworms larvae of the present invention. In this flow, a case where the base material used is a solvent-soluble substance is shown.

Fig. 2B is a view showing a process flow of the method for producing silk of bagworms larvae of the present invention. In this flow, a case where the base material used is a thermally fusible material is shown.

Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of the present invention. The white circles observed in the dotted circles in the graph of c and the white blurring material inside are stent spun silk spit out by bagworm larvae.

Detailed Description

1. Production method of silk block

1-1. summary

The invention provides a method for producing silk blocks of silk of bagworms larvae. The production method of the present invention is a method for obtaining a silk cake by collecting a target bagworm larva scaffold silk by placing bagworm larvae on a solvent-soluble base material or a thermally fusible base material, discharging the scaffold silk, dissolving or melting the base material, and separating the base material component from the spun scaffold silk. According to the method of the present invention, it is possible to efficiently recover and produce a yarn cake without causing any loss of the scaffold spun yarns on the base material, without causing any physical damage to the scaffold spun yarns spun on the base material by mechanical operations such as peeling.

1-2. definition of terms

With respect to the following terms frequently used in the present specification, the following terms are defined as described below.

The term "bagworm larvae" refers to a collective term for larvae of moths belonging to the family bageridae (psyhidae) of the order Lepidoptera (Lepidoptera) as described above. The moth of the bagworms is distributed in the world, but any larva (bagworms) lives in a nest formed by winding the natural raw materials such as leaves, twigs and the like which are spliced by spun silk spun by the larva in the whole larva period. Furthermore, either species has the following habits: in the case of extraction from a nest, the nesting is in principle carried out using a peripheral substrate. Therefore, the bagworm larvae used in the present specification do not depend on the kind, age, and sex, as long as they belong to the larvae of the moth of the baggy moth family and have the above habit. For example, there are genera in the family Bombycidae, Acanthophyche, Anatolypheca, Bacotia, Bambalinia, Canephora, Charlioides, Dahlica, Diploda, Eumeta, Eumasia, Kozhanshikovia, Mahasena, Nipponpysyche, Parananychia, Proutia, Psyche, Pteroma, Siederia, Strigocyrbasia, Taleporia, Therriodeptyx, Trigonodoma, etc., and the Bombycidae larvae used in this specification may be of a species belonging to any genus. Further, the age of the larvae may be any age from the first age to the end age. However, in order to obtain silk of the bagworm larvae of high quality, large bagworm larvae are preferable. For example, the larva of the same species is preferably younger, and the larva is preferably a large female if the larva is male or female. Further, the larger the size in the family of the baggy moth, the more preferable the size. For example, the Dactylopsis major (Eumeta japonica), Theobroma sinensis (Eumeta miniscula) are suitable as the species used in the present invention.

The bagworm larvae used in the production method of the present invention are not limited, but are bagworm larvae having retained nests. The term "retained nest" means a state in which the bagworm larva carries the nest. As described above, the bagworm larvae live together with their own nests, and when they feed or move, as shown in fig. 1B, only a part of the larvae are exposed from the nests, and the entire bodies of the larvae are not exposed from the nests in principle throughout all the larval stages. Under the condition that the bag moth larvae are manually separated from the nests to expose the whole bodies to the outside, the bag moth larvae in the naked state are preferentially reconstructed to protect the bodies and preserve heat, and nest spun silk is discharged. Therefore, in order to eject the stent spun silk which is the object of the present invention, it is preferable to keep the bagworms in a nest-holding state.

In the present specification, "spun silk" refers to silk derived from insects, and refers to protein-made silk that is discharged by larvae and adults of insects for the purposes of nesting, movement, immobilization, cocooning, bait-trapping, and the like. In the present specification, the term "spun silk" refers to a wide range of common spun silk having no specific insect source name, and in the case of spun silk derived from a specific insect, the biological source name is attached to the silk before the silk, such as silkworm silk and bagworms larva silk.

In the present specification, "silk from bagworms larvae" refers to silk that is spit out from bagworms larvae. The silk of bagworms larvae in this specification comprises single fibers, spinning fibers and aggregated fibers. The "filament" is a filament constituting the smallest unit of the fiber component, and is also called a monofilament (monofilent). The single fiber contains fibroin protein as a main component. Silk of bagworm larvae and silk of silkworms are naturally discharged in a state of two filaments (difilamentt) in which 2 single fibers are bonded to each other by sericin protein as a binder. These two filaments are referred to as "laid fibers". The nest of the young moth of the baggy moth and the cocoon of the silkworm are made of silk spinning fiber. A substance formed by binding a plurality of spun fibers into a 1-bundle fiber bundle is referred to as "conjugate fiber (multifilament)". The raw silk obtained through the reeling process corresponds to the gathered fiber. Further, raw silk is treated with soap, grey water, an alkaline reagent such as sodium carbonate or urea, and an enzyme to remove sericin protein, and the obtained spun silk is called as boiled silk.

There are 2 kinds of scaffold spun silk and nest spun silk among silk of bagworms larvae. The "scaffold spun silk" is spun silk that is ejected by the movement of the moth larvae as described above, and has a function as a scaffold for preventing the fall from branches, leaves, and the like. When moving, the bagworm larvae spit bracket spun silk in a Z shape in the advancing direction, and move while hanging the claws of two feet on the silk. On the other hand, "nest spun silk" is spun silk that is discharged for nests, and is discharged for the purpose of splicing leaves and twigs and making the inner wall of a nest, which is a living area, a comfortable environment. In the present specification, bagworm larva spun silk refers to scaffold spun silk unless otherwise specified.

In the present specification, the "silk piece" refers to an aggregate of spun silk consisting only of silk of bagworms larvae. The nest of the bagworm larva is an aggregate of silk of the bagworm larva, but generally, impurities such as twigs and leaves are present in a mixed manner, and therefore, does not correspond to the silk piece of the present invention. Thus, the pieces of thread in this specification can generally be produced by some artificial process. The state of the filament block is not limited. Even in a state where silk is intricately entangled with a bagworm larva, the silk may be in a bundle state in which one or more filaments are wound.

In the present specification, the term "base material" refers to a base for taking scaffold spun silk. The silk collection is performed by attaching scaffold spun silk while allowing the bagworm larvae to move on the surface of the base material. The raw materials constituting the substrate, the shape of the substrate, and the like will be described below.

The "solvent" used in the present invention is a solvent which does not damage or modify silk of bagworm larvae, and does not dissolve silk protein, particularly silk protein, which is a fiber component of bagworm larvae. For example, a strongly acidic solvent or a strongly basic solvent which denatures proteins is not suitable as the solvent used in the present invention. The solvent may be classified into a high-polarity solvent (hydrophilic solvent) and a low-polarity solvent (hydrophobic solvent) based on the polarity, but any solvent is included in the present specification. In the highly polar solvent, a part of an organic solvent, for example, a lower alcohol (methanol, ethanol, etc.), and acetic acid are contained in addition to water. In addition, in the low-polarity solvent, other large amounts of organic solvents (low-polarity organic solvents) are contained, for example, hexane, toluene, chloroform, dichloromethane, dichloroethane, trichloroethylene, acetone, diethyl ether, xylene, carbon tetrachloride, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, tetrahydrofuran, acetonitrile, and the like. Water (including warm water and hot water) is particularly preferable as the solvent of the present invention in view of ease of handling (including waste liquid treatment, etc.), safety, and purchase cost.

The term "solvent-soluble" as used herein means a property of being soluble in the above-mentioned solvent. Therefore, the term "solvent-soluble (base material)" refers to a base material that can be dissolved in a specific solvent.

In the present specification, "thermal fusibility (or thermal fusibility)" means a property that can be easily melted by heat. The "thermally fusible base material" refers to a base material that is in a solid state at normal temperature (15 to 25 ℃) under atmospheric pressure and can be changed to a liquid state by melting by heating. The melting point of the thermal fusible base material is only required to be lower than the temperature of silk damage, thermal modification or melting of the bagworms larvae. If the silk of the bagworm larva exceeds 260 ℃, thermal decomposition starts, and therefore the melting point is at least 260 ℃ or lower. Preferably 200 ℃ or lower, more preferably 150 ℃ or lower, 140 ℃ or lower, 130 ℃ or lower, or 120 ℃ or lower. In order to reduce the heating cost, the silk of the bagworm larva is not exposed to an excessively high temperature, and the melting point is preferably a temperature higher than the normal temperature and 100 ℃ or lower. For example, a temperature range of 40 ℃ to 100 ℃, 45 ℃ to 98 ℃, 50 ℃ to 95 ℃, 55 ℃ to 90 ℃, 60 ℃ to 85 ℃, 65 ℃ to 80 ℃, or 70 ℃ to 75 ℃ is suitable.

2. Production method

The process flow of this embodiment is shown in fig. 2A and 2B. As shown in the figure, the production method of the present embodiment is constituted by independent 2 processes of the 1 st process (fig. 2A) and the 2 nd process (fig. 2B).

2-1 pretreatment

The pretreatment of bagworms used in the method of the present invention will be described.

In the method, both the 1 st and 2 nd processes use the living bagworm larvae in the preparation step and the spinning step. However, in these procedures, bagworm larvae are not fed in principle. In the present invention, the longer the moving distance per unit time of the bagworm larvae is, the more scaffold spun silk can be obtained. However, the reason is that when the feed is carried out during silk collection, there is a possibility that the bagworm larvae are intoxicated for feeding and hardly move. However, spinning is said to correspond to the release of proteins (silk) synthesized and accumulated in the body, and therefore, the bagworm larvae consume a large amount of energy and proteins when moving. Therefore, it is desirable that the bagworm larvae to be supplied to the production method of the present invention are sufficiently fed in advance as a pretreatment. The feeding method and the feeding time are not limited. As long as a sufficient amount of food is supplied until the bagworm larvae stop feeding.

It is also preferred to have it defecate after feeding. This is to prevent contamination of silk of the scaffold spit out by bagworms larvae due to feces. The defecation treatment is carried out by leaving at a usual rearing temperature for a sufficient time for defecation after the completion of the feeding. For example, the sheet may be left at a temperature of 10 to 30 ℃, preferably 15 to 25 ℃ for 30 minutes or more, 1 hour or more, 2 hours or more, 3 hours or more, 4 hours or more, 6 hours or more, 8 hours or more, or 24 hours or less, 20 hours or less, 18 hours or less, 15 hours or less, 12 hours or less, or 10 hours or less.

2-2. 1. scheme

In the 1 st scheme (fig. 2A), the substrate uses a solvent-soluble substance as a feature. The process includes a configuration step (S0101), a spinning step (S0102), a dissolution step (S0104), and a separation step (S0106) as essential steps, and a recovery step (S0103), a washing step (S0107), and a drying step (S0108) as optional steps. Hereinafter, each step will be explained.

2-2-1. preparation procedure

The "placement step" (S0101) is a step of placing the bagworm larvae together with the solvent-soluble base material, and is an essential step in the present invention.

The solvent-soluble base material used in the present step is not particularly limited as long as it is soluble in the above solvent, but is classified into a water-soluble base material (water-soluble material) and a low-polarity solvent-soluble base material, and will be specifically described below.

The term "water-soluble substrate" as used herein means a substrate which is composed of a material soluble in water and is in a solid state in a dry environment. The term "under dry conditions" refers to an environment having a humidity of 50% or less, preferably 40% or less, 30% or less, 20% or less, or 10% or less, in a standard state (under atmospheric conditions at 15 to 25 ℃). Specific examples of the water-soluble base include gelatin, starch, pullulan, and the like. The water-soluble base material used in the present step is not limited, and may be 1 type selected from the above groups, or a combination of 2 or more types of base materials. The water-soluble base material may be soluble not only in water (pure water) but also in an aqueous solution containing 1 or 2 or more solutes.

The term "low-polarity solvent-soluble base material" as used herein means a base material which is composed of a substance soluble in a low-polarity solvent and is solid in the above-mentioned standard state. The "low-polarity solvent" herein mainly refers to a low-polarity organic solvent. Specific examples thereof include hexane, toluene, chloroform, dichloromethane, dichloroethane, trichloroethylene, benzene, acetone, diethyl ether, xylene, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, carbon tetrachloride, acetonitrile and the like. Examples of the low-polarity solvent-soluble base material include, but are not limited to, polystyrene, vinyl acetate, cellulose acetate, acrylic resins, and polycarbonate. The combination of 2 or more low-polarity solvent-soluble base materials may be used as long as they are soluble in the same solvent.

The thickness of the solvent-soluble base material used in this step is not limited. When the base material is excessively thick, the base material itself can have rigidity, but on the other hand, the manufacturing cost of the base material increases, and the base material is difficult to dissolve in the dissolving step, or the base material and the bracket spun silk are difficult to separate in the separating step. On the other hand, when the base material is made too thin, the production cost of the base material is suppressed, and the dissolution of the base material in the dissolution step and the separation of the base material and the scaffold spun yarn in the separation step become easy, but on the other hand, the rigidity of the base material itself is lost, and therefore the base material cannot maintain a certain shape and cannot function as a base. Therefore, the thickness of the base material may be determined as appropriate in consideration of the manufacturing cost, rigidity, ease of handling in the subsequent steps, and the like. In general, in the case of a water-soluble base material, there is no limitation, but the average thickness of the base material is preferably 0.5mm or more, 0.6mm or more, 0.7mm or more, 0.8mm or more, 0.9mm or more, 1.0mm or more, 1.2mm or more, or 1.5mm or more, and more preferably 3.0mm or less, 2.8mm or less, 2.5mm or less, 2.2mm or less, or 2.0mm or less. In addition, in the case of a film having an average thickness of the water-soluble base material of 0.5mm, 0.4mm, 0.3mm, 0.2mm, or less than 0.5mm, the base material itself does not have rigidity to hold a certain shape, and therefore the base material can be disposed on an appropriate support having a desired shape.

The "support" as used herein is a member that can impart rigidity and/or shape to a solvent-soluble base material by disposing the solvent-soluble base material on the surface thereof. The support is an optional constituent used in the production method of the present invention, and may be used as needed.

The material of the support is not particularly limited as long as it has a rigidity enough to hold a certain shape. Examples thereof include glass, metal, plastic, synthetic rubber, ceramic, or paper, plant pieces (including wood pieces, for example), animal pieces (including bone pieces, shells, and sponges, for example). The support may be a thermally fusible base material described later. Further, a solvent-soluble base material having a property different from that of the solvent-soluble base material used as the spinning base may be used as the support. For example, a film of a water-soluble base material is used as a solvent-soluble base material for spinning, and a low-polarity solvent-soluble base material having a water-soluble base material attached to the surface thereof is used as a support.

The shape and size of the base material used in this step are not limited. For example, the shape may be a planar shape of a sheet or a plate, and may be a 3-dimensional three-dimensional shape. When a flat-shaped nonwoven fabric formed of silk as a scaffold for a bagworm larva is desired, it can be produced by spinning the entire flat surface of the flat surface portion of a flat-shaped base material. In addition, when a nonwoven fabric formed of scaffold spun silk having a desired three-dimensional shape is to be obtained, it can be achieved by using a base material having the desired three-dimensional shape and performing spinning on the entire surface of the base material. The nonwoven fabric having such a three-dimensional shape can be used as a scaffold (scaffold) material in regenerative medicine, for example.

The size of the base material may be any size as required, but if the scaffold spun silk is a silk of a bagworm larva that is ejected as it moves, the lower limit is preferably equal to or larger than the body length of the bagworm larva. For example, the major axis and major axis may be 1cm or more, 2cm or more, 3cm or more, 4cm or more, or 5cm or more. On the other hand, regardless of the upper limit of the size of the base material, when the major axis and the major axis are 10cm or more, 15cm or more, 20cm or more, 25cm or more, or 30cm or more, it is preferable to make a plurality of bagworm larvae spin.

By "disposing the bagworm larvae with the solvent-soluble substrate" is meant positioning the bagworm larvae in such a way that the two are able to contact the surface of the solvent-soluble substrate. For example, the bagworm larvae may be disposed directly on the substrate, or may be disposed so that the bagworm larvae can move to reach the substrate. As a specific example of the latter, there is a case where moth larvae are placed on the bottom surface of a wide-mouth plastic container without a cover, and then the container is covered with a solvent-soluble base material. Since the bagworm larvae prefer a high position, they move along the side surface of the wide-mouth plastic container, and after reaching the lower surface of the base material corresponding to the top of the container, they move there and discharge the stent spun silk.

In addition, the types and the numbers of the arranged bagworms were not limited. For example, 1 looper larva may be arranged at a time or a plurality of looper larvae may be arranged for every 1 base material from which stent spun silk is discharged. Further, the types and ages of the arranged bagworms were also determined. When a plurality of larvae are arranged, the larvae of the bagworms of the same species and the same instar may be of the same instar, or may be mixed.

2-2-2. spinning process

The "spinning step" (S0102) is a step of moving the moth larvae to discharge the stent spun silk on the surface of the base material, and is an essential step in the present invention.

The period of this step varies depending on the type of bagworm larvae, the age of the bagworm, and the number of individuals used, and is not limited. This can be continued until the necessary amount of scaffold silks are laid on the substrate. For example, when silking is performed on a circular base material having a diameter of 9cm using 1 last age of a bagworm larva of a bagworm moth, the silking may be performed for 1 or more days, 2 or more days, 3 or more days, 4 or more days, 5 or more days, 6 or more days, or 7 or more days. Since the stent spun silk is spun with the movement of the bagworm larvae as described above, the obtained stent spun silk is proportional to the moving distance of the bagworm larvae on the substrate. Therefore, the time of the spinning step is shorter when a plurality of silkworms are used for spinning, compared with the case where silkworms are used alone. Further, since silking continues without feeding, there are cases where silking of the bagworm larvae is often stopped in this step. In such a case, the silk may be continuously produced after exchanging with a new bagworm larva.

In order to increase the spinning yield per unit time of the bagworm larvae, it is preferable that the temperature and humidity in this step are not changed or are changed little. Preferably, the temperature is about 20 ℃, for example, in the range of 15 ℃ to 25 ℃, or 18 ℃ to 22 ℃, and the humidity is about 50%, for example, in the range of 40% to 65%, or 45% to 60%. The bright-dark period in this step is not particularly limited, and may be only a bright period, but may be a periodic bright-dark period. For example, the period may be a period in which the bright period is set to 6 to 18 hours, 7 to 17 hours, 8 to 16 hours, 9 to 15 hours, 10 to 14 hours, 11 to 13 hours, or 12 hours in 24 hours, and the dark period is left.

2-2-3 recovery Process

The "collecting step" (S0103) is a step of collecting the bagworm larvae used in the spinning step together with the nests, and is a selecting step in the present invention. The purpose of this step is to separate and recover unwanted bagworm larvae from the substrate.

On the base material after the spinning step, the moth larvae which have spun the scaffold silk are mixed with the spun scaffold silk. However, no bagworm larvae are required in the subsequent dissolution process. Further, even during the spinning process, there is no need to stop the spinning of the bagworm larvae. Further, when the bagworm larvae are treated with a solvent together with the base material and the bracket spun silk in the dissolving step, there is a possibility that undesirable dyeing of bagworm larva spun silk, mixing of nest spun silk and the like may occur due to body fluid of bagworm larvae, dead leaves used in nests, and the like, and a reduction in the base material dissolving efficiency due to bagworm larvae and nests may occur. Therefore, although this step is a selective step, it is preferably recovered before the dissolution step.

The method of recovering bagworm larvae from the substrate is not limited. All methods of isolating bagworm larvae from a substrate may be utilized. For example, bagworm larvae in contact with the substrate may be stripped off along with the nests. However, for the purpose of the invention, a method that can reduce damage to the stent spun silk as much as possible is preferable. For example, the induction can be performed in a manner that spontaneously detaches the scaffold silk from the substrate. As a specific example of this method, there is a method in which the base material disposed at the top position of the container before the above-mentioned moves upward is turned upside down to become the bottom surface by utilizing the property that the above-mentioned bagworm larvae move upward. The substrate may be recovered after the bagworm larvae have moved to the side of the container. Further, a method of heating the substrate may be mentioned. Since the bagworm larvae spontaneously detach from the base material in order to escape from the high temperature, the base material may be recovered after the movement. The heating temperature is not less than normal temperature, and the temperature is not harmful to silk of bagworm larva and the base material is not molten. For example, it is preferably 30 ℃ or higher, 33 ℃ or higher, 35 ℃ or higher, 38 ℃ or higher, 40 ℃ or higher, 42 ℃ or higher, 45 ℃ or higher, 48 ℃ or higher, or 50 ℃ or higher, and 80 ℃ or lower, 75 ℃ or lower, 70 ℃ or lower, 65 ℃ or lower, 60 ℃ or lower, or 55 ℃ or lower.

In addition, the recovered bagworm larvae can be reused in the production method of the present invention after feeding.

2-2-4. dissolving step

The "dissolving step" (S0104) is a step of dissolving the solvent-soluble base material with a solvent, and is an essential step in the present invention. In this step, the solvent-soluble base material in a solid state is dissolved and becomes a liquid state.

The solvent used in this step is a solvent capable of dissolving the solvent-soluble base material used in the spinning step. For example, when a water-soluble base material is used in the spinning step, the solvent is water (pure water) or an aqueous solution containing 1 or 2 or more solutes. In the case where a low-polarity solvent-soluble base material is used in the spinning step, the low-polarity solvent is a solvent capable of dissolving the base material. Specifically, when the low-polarity solvent-soluble base material is polystyrene or an acrylic resin, various low-polarity solvents such as hexane, xylene, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride and the like can be used as the solvent.

The temperature of the solvent used in this step is not particularly limited as long as it is a temperature at which the silk of bagworm larvae is not damaged or modified and does not dissolve and is not higher than the boiling point of the solvent. Generally, the temperature is in the range of room temperature, for example, 1 to 35 ℃, 5 to 32 ℃, 10 to 30 ℃, 12 to 27 ℃, 15 to 25 ℃, or 18 to 20 ℃. However, in general, the higher the solvent temperature of the solute, the more easily soluble the substance. In particular, in the case of a water-soluble base material, the higher the water temperature, the shorter the dissolution time of the base material. Therefore, in order to dissolve the base material rapidly, the solvent temperature is preferably high. For example, when the solvent is water, the water temperature is preferably 35 ℃ or higher, 38 ℃ or higher, 40 ℃ or higher, 42 ℃ or higher, 45 ℃ or higher, 48 ℃ or higher, 50 ℃ or higher, 52 ℃ or higher, 55 ℃ or higher, 58 ℃ or higher, 60 ℃ or higher, 62 ℃ or higher, 65 ℃ or higher, 68 ℃ or higher, 70 ℃ or higher, 72 ℃ or higher, 75 ℃ or higher, 78 ℃ or higher, 80 ℃ or higher, 82 ℃ or higher, 85 ℃ or higher, 88 ℃ or higher, 90 ℃ or higher, 92 ℃ or higher, 95 ℃ or higher, and 98 ℃ or higher under atmospheric pressure. The solvent may be heated in advance before and/or during the present step.

The method for dissolving the substrate is not particularly limited as long as the solvent-soluble substrate can be brought into contact with the solvent. Examples thereof include a method of immersing a solvent-soluble base material in a solvent, and a method of spraying or jetting a solvent onto a solvent-soluble base material. The spun scaffold silk may be contacted with a solvent. In the case of immersing the solvent-soluble base material in a solvent, the solvent may be stirred using, for example, a stirrer or a stirring rod in order to improve the dissolution efficiency.

The dissolution time is a time until the solvent-soluble base material is completely dissolved by the solvent. The specific time period may be determined as appropriate based on the material of the substrate, the type, temperature and amount of the solvent. For example, when the substrate is polystyrene and is treated by immersing the substrate in a solvent of xylene or carbon tetrachloride, the lower limit of the time at room temperature may be 5 seconds or more, 10 seconds or more, 15 seconds or more, 20 seconds or more, 25 seconds or more, 30 seconds or more, 45 seconds or more, 50 seconds or more, or 60 seconds or more. The upper limit may be 10 minutes or less, 8 minutes or less, 5 minutes or less, 3 minutes or less, or 2 minutes or less.

2-2-5 separation Process

The "separation step" (S0106) is a step of separating the dissolved solvent-soluble base material from the scaffold spun yarn, and is an essential step in the present invention. After the dissolving step, the method of separating silk from the bagworms larvae by using the solvent in which the base material is dissolved is not limited. Since the scaffold spun silk is a fibrous solid, and the solvent containing the base material is a liquid, a conventional method for separating a solid from a liquid can be used. For example, the separation may be performed by a centrifugal separation method using a dehydration apparatus or the like. In addition, without the above-mentioned collection step, the moth larvae, nests, and occasionally feces thereof remain as solids. In this case, for example, without limitation, the scaffold spun silk may be wound around a rod or the like and separated from the solvent, and the scaffold spun silk may be simultaneously separated from the bagworm larvae or the like.

After this step, a scaffold spun silk of a target bagworm larva can be obtained.

2-2-6 washing process

The "washing step" (S0107) is a step of washing the separated scaffold spun silk. This step is a selective step, and may be performed as needed. This step is preferably selected when obtaining pure scaffold spun silk without mixing in a solvent-soluble base material.

In the scaffold spun silk obtained after the separation step, a solvent in which the solvent-soluble base material is dissolved may remain. In this case, the solvent is vaporized, and there is a possibility that the dissolved solvent-soluble base material is polymerized again, and therefore the solvent is preferably completely removed by washing. In this step, a part of the feces adhering to the scaffold spun silk may be removed at the same time.

In this step, the washing liquid used for washing may be a solvent used in the dissolving step. When a low-polarity solvent is used in the dissolving step, another solvent having a high affinity for the low-polarity solvent may be used as the washing liquid. Preferably a highly volatile washing liquid. For example, when xylene is used as the solvent in the dissolving step, toluene or benzene as another low-polarity solvent, or ethanol as a polar solvent may be used as the washing liquid. However, it is preferred to use a solvent for the washing liquid that does not contain other components. For example, when a water-soluble base material is used, the washing liquid is preferably pure water (containing warm water) as compared with an aqueous solution containing other solutes.

The washing method is not limited as long as it can remove the solvent used in the dissolution step from the scaffold spun silk. The stent spun silk may be sprayed with a washing solution or may be immersed in a washing solution. After washing, the washing solution adhering to the stent spun silk may be removed by the same method as the separation step.

The number of washing times is not limited. This may be done 1 or more times. The term "a plurality of times" as used herein means, for example, 2 to 20 times, 2 to 15 times, 2 to 10 times, 2 to 7 times, 2 to 5 times, 2 to 4 times or 2 to 3 times. In general, washing is preferably carried out a plurality of times. When washing is performed a plurality of times, the washing solution used in each washing may be the same or different. The washing methods may be the same or different.

2-2-7. drying procedure

The "drying step" (S0108) is a step of drying the collected scaffold spun silk, and is a selection step performed as necessary in the present invention. In the scaffold spun silk obtained after the separation step or after the washing step, a solvent or a washing solution remains. In this step, the solvent or washing liquid remaining in the scaffold spun silk after the separation step or after the washing step is removed by drying. The target scaffold spun silk can be obtained after the process.

The drying method is not particularly limited as long as the amount of the residual solvent or washing solution can be reduced without modifying or deteriorating the scaffold spun silk. Examples thereof include a natural drying method (including sun drying) in which a solvent and a cleaning solution are vaporized by exposure to outside air, an air drying method in which warm air or cold air is brought into contact with an air blower or the like, a moisture drying method in which the container is left in a closed space for a certain period of time together with a desiccant, a heat drying method in which the solvent and the cleaning solution are evaporated and dried by heating, a reduced pressure drying method in which the container is degassed by a vacuum pump or the like to evaporate the solvent and the cleaning solution, and a combination thereof.

The drying time may be determined as appropriate depending on the solvent or washing solution used, the drying method, and the like. For example, when a solvent or a washing liquid such as xylene or ethanol which is easily vaporized is used, when drying is performed by an air drying method, the drying time is sufficient to be 5 seconds to 10 minutes, 10 seconds to 5 minutes, or 20 seconds to 3 minutes.

2-3. 2 nd procedure

In the 2 nd flow (fig. 2B), the base material is characterized by using a thermally fusible material. The process includes a placement step (S0101), a spinning step (S0102), a melting step (S0105), and a separation step (S0106) as essential steps, and a collection step (S0103), a washing step (S0107), and a drying step (S0108) as optional steps. Hereinafter, each step will be explained.

2-3-1. preparation procedure

The arrangement step (S0101) in the 2 nd flow is an essential step, and is basically the same as the arrangement step in the 1 st flow. Therefore, only the difference from the arrangement step in the 1 st flow will be described here.

This step is different from the arrangement step of the 1 st flow in that a base material is not solvent-soluble but a thermally fusible base material is used.

The type of the thermally fusible base material is not limited. All raw materials having the characteristics of the thermally fusible base material specified in the above definition can be used. Specific examples of the thermally fusible base material that can be used in the 2 nd flow include wax. The wax includes vegetable wax such as wood wax, and animal wax such as beeswax. The shape and size of the thermally fusible base material are those of the solvent-soluble base material according to the 1 st process.

2-3-2. spinning process

The "spinning step" (S0102) of the 2 nd flow is an essential step, and is different from the spinning step of the 1 st flow except that a thermally fusible base material is used as the base material, and is the same as the spinning step of the 1 st flow except that the step. Therefore, this step is performed in accordance with the laying step of the 1 st flow.

2-3-3 recovery Process

The "recovery step" (S0103) of the 2 nd flow is an essential step and is basically the same as the recovery step of the 1 st flow. Therefore, this step can be performed according to the recovery step of the 1 st flow.

2-3-4. melting step

The "melting step" (S0105) is an essential step characteristic to the 2 nd flow, and is a step of heating and melting the thermally fusible base material. In this step, the solid base material is dissolved and becomes a liquid.

In this step, the heating temperature for melting the thermal fusible base material is not particularly limited as long as it is higher than the melting point of the thermal fusible base material and is a temperature at which the silk of bagworm larvae is not damaged or thermally modified and does not dissolve. The melting point as the lower limit of the heating temperature differs depending on the thermal fusible base material, and therefore, may be determined appropriately depending on the thermal fusible base material to be used. In addition, if the temperature is 260 ℃ or lower as described above, thermal decomposition does not occur in silk of bagworm larvae, and therefore the upper limit of the heating temperature is only required to be 260 ℃ or lower. However, if the pouchu moth larva spun silk is exposed to a high temperature exceeding 200 ℃ for a long time, the possibility of damage or modification by heat cannot be excluded, and therefore, the upper limit of the heating temperature is preferably the melting point +50 ℃ or less, the melting point +45 ℃ or less, the melting point +40 ℃ or less, the melting point +35 ℃ or less, the melting point +30 ℃ or less, the melting point +25 ℃ or less, the melting point +20 ℃ or less, the melting point +15 ℃ or less, the melting point +10 ℃ or less, or the melting point +5 ℃ or less of the thermal fusible base material used.

The method for melting the substrate is not particularly limited as long as the thermally fusible substrate can be heated. Examples thereof include a method of heating a hot fusible base material by placing it on a heater or an electric hot plate, a method of heating it by placing it in a microwave oven (microwave oven), a method of contacting it with hot air, and a method of melting it by boiling it in boiled water if the melting point of the hot fusible base material is less than 100 ℃.

The melting time is a time until the thermal fusible base material is completely melted. The specific time period may be determined as appropriate based on the material of the thermally fusible base material and the heating temperature. For example, in the case where the base material is beeswax having a melting point of 62 ℃, if the heating temperature is 80 ℃, the melting time may be 30 minutes, 40 minutes, 50 minutes, 60 minutes, 70 minutes, 80 minutes, or 90 minutes.

2-3-5 separation process

The "separation step" (S0106) is an essential step, and is a step of separating the scaffold spun silk from the liquid thermally fusible base material. The separation step in the 2 nd flow is basically the same as the separation step in the 1 st flow. In contrast to the separation of the scaffold spun silk from the solvent in which the solvent-soluble base material is dissolved in the 1 st flow, the present step in the 2 nd flow is different in that the base material is a liquid thermally fusible base material. Since the scaffold spun silk is a fibrous solid, the thermally fusible base material in this step is in a liquid state in the melting step, and therefore, the conventional method for separating a solid from a liquid may be used according to the separation step of the 1 st flow. However, if the temperature is lower than the melting point of the thermally fusible base material in this step, the thermally fusible base material starts to solidify by repolymerization. Therefore, the thermally fusible base material is not repolymerized before and during the present step. For example, the separation may be carried out by continuing heating at a temperature similar to that in the melting step, applying a polymerization inhibitor or a polymerization inhibitor, or adding a diluent used in the washing step described below to the step to form a mixture of the fusible base material and the diluent.

2-3-6 washing process

The "washing step" (S0107) is a selection step and is a step of washing the separated scaffold spun silk. The washing step in the 2 nd flow is also basically the same as the washing step in the 1 st flow. However, unlike the 1 st process, the 2 nd process differs in that the melted heat-fusible base material adheres to the separated scaffold spun silk. Therefore, only the difference will be specifically described here.

In this step, if the temperature is lower than the melting point of the heat-fusible base material, the attached base material is polymerized again and solidified. Therefore, it is desirable that the hot-melt base material is completely removed by washing.

The washing liquid used for washing is not particularly limited as long as it is a solvent that does not damage, modify, or dissolve the scaffold spun silk and has a temperature higher than the melting point of the hot-melt base material used. For example, when the thermally fusible base material is beeswax having a melting point of 62 ℃, the beeswax adhering to the stent spun yarn can be melted and removed by using water having a temperature of 70 ℃ or higher as a washing liquid. More preferably, the washing liquid is a diluted liquid having a high affinity with the thermally fusible base material. In this case, the temperature of the diluent does not necessarily need to be higher than the melting point of the thermally fusible base material. The "diluent" herein refers to a solvent in which the melted thermal fusible base material can be easily dissolved. For example, if the thermally fusible substrate is beeswax, solvents such as chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, xylene can be diluents.

2-3-7. drying procedure

The "drying process" (S0108) of the 2 nd flow is a selection process and is the same as the drying process of the 1 st flow. Therefore, this step can be performed according to the drying step of the 1 st flow.

2-4. Effect

There is a problem that it is difficult in the prior art to collect silk on a silk scaffold for collecting larvae of bagworms spun on a substrate without causing mechanical damage.

According to the silk collecting method and the silk block producing method of the present invention, the silk block formed only of the silk scaffold of the bagworm larvae having mechanically excellent characteristics can be stably obtained by dissolving or melting the base material itself and separating the liquid base material from the fibrous silk scaffold of the bagworm larvae, instead of separating the silk scaffold from the silk scaffold formed by the bagworm larvae on the base material to collect the silk.

3. Nonwoven fabric made from scaffold spun silk

3-1. summary

The invention of claim 2 is made from a silk scaffold from silk of bagworms larvae. The nonwoven fabric of the present invention is made of the filament mass obtained using the production method of the 1 st aspect.

3-2. formation

The silk piece obtained by the production method according to the first aspect has a property of being spun on a substrate by the movement of the bagworm larvae, and is in a mesh shape. When several layers are laid on top of each other, a nonwoven fabric is already formed on the base material. Therefore, the silk piece formed from the scaffold spun silk of the bagworm larvae obtained by the production method of the 1 st aspect can be utilized as a nonwoven fabric by itself.

In addition, in the production method according to the 1 st aspect, the base material is formed into a three-dimensional shape, and in the case where the scaffold spun silk is laminated over the entire surface thereof, the obtained silk piece can be a nonwoven fabric in which the shape of the three-dimensional shape of the base material is followed. By forming the shape of the base material into a desired three-dimensional shape, the base material can be used as a scaffold material for cultured cells in regenerative medicine, for example, as a natural nonwoven fabric which does not affect the human body.

Further, the filament mass obtained by the production method according to the 1 st aspect may be further processed into a nonwoven fabric by an existing nonwoven fabric production method. The conventional nonwoven fabric can be produced by, but not limited to, a spunlace method and a needle punching method.

Examples

< method for producing silk cake of silk thread of bagworms larva Using Water-soluble base Material >

(purpose)

Using the method of the invention, silk pieces consisting of silk, a scaffold for bagworms larvae, were produced.

(methods and results)

The bagworm larvae used were the last-instar larvae of bagworms (bagworm larvae). The substrate used was a water-soluble substrate in which gelatin was used as a solvent-soluble substrate.

(1) Production of gelatin casting film

Gelatin used in medical capsules is easily dissolved in water at 40 ℃ or higher. Therefore, a gelatin cast film was produced using a gelatin capsule as a base material for spinning a stent. An appropriate amount of tap water was prepared in a beaker, and heated until boiling using a thermal stirrer. After boiling, the gelatin capsule (カプスゲル · ジャパン, manufactured by kokai) was dissolved so that the concentration became 1 wt%. After the dissolution, the solution was poured in an amount (10mL) to fill the entire bottom surface of a 9cm plastic petri dish and dried at room temperature. Thus, a gelatin cast film having a diameter of 9cm and a thickness of about 0.1mm was obtained as a water-soluble base material (FIG. 3 a). The plastic petri dish was used directly as a support for the substrate.

(2) Configuration and spinning of bagworm larvae

An ice cup (ミネロン, manufactured by chemical industry co., ltd.) was used as a spinning container. After 1 container of 1 bagworm larva per container was put into an ice cup, a gelatin casting film as a water-soluble base material prepared in the above (1) and a plastic petri dish as a support were used as an upper cover of the ice cup, and the ice cup was covered with the gelatin casting film so that the lower surface thereof was covered with the gelatin casting film. The plastic petri dish was then fixed to an ice cup with a curing band (fig. 3 b). Next, in an unfed state, the bagworm larvae were silked for 5 days at a temperature of 25 ℃ under a light-to-dark ratio of 16: 8. However, the initially charged bagworm larvae were collected because the spinning action was arrested on day 2, and were replaced with new bagworm larvae of the last instar of the giant bagworms.

(3) Recovery and dissolution of gelatin cast films

After spinning, the gelatin cast film and plastic petri dish were separated from the ice-cup. At this point numerous scaffold filaments were spun out onto the gelatin cast film surface (fig. 3 c). Next, the gelatin casting film was peeled off from the plastic petri dish (fig. 3d), and immersed in boiling water under stirring for 5 minutes (fig. 3 e). After the gelatin casting film is completely dissolved in boiling water, the bracket spun silk suspended in the boiling water is taken. The scaffold spun silk was then washed with fresh boiling water and dried at room temperature. As a result, the scaffold spun silk shown in fig. 3f was obtained. The surface of the scaffold spun silk after the collection was confirmed by a solid microscope (stereomicroscope), and no gelatin residue was confirmed. As is clear from the above, by the method for producing silk blocks of silk of bagworms larvae of the present invention, silk blocks composed of only pure scaffold silk can be obtained.

All publications, patents and patent applications cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if fully set forth.

Claims

1. A method for producing silk blocks of silk of poult moth larvae comprises the following steps:

a preparation step of preparing the bagworms larvae and the solvent-soluble base material together;

a silking step of silking the bagworms on a solvent-soluble base material;

a dissolving step of dissolving the solvent-soluble base material with a solvent; and

a separation process, separating the solvent soluble base material from the silk of the moth larvae spun on the base material,

the solvent is a solvent which does not damage or modify silk and does not dissolve the silk of bagworms larvae.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising, after the spinning step and before the dissolving step, a recovery step of: and (5) recovering the bagworms larvae and the nests together.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, the solvent being water.

4. The method of claim 1 or 2, the solvent being a low polarity solvent.

5. A method for producing silk blocks of silk of poult moth larvae comprises the following steps:

a preparation step of preparing the bagworms larvae and the hot fusible base material together;

a silking procedure, namely enabling the bagworm larvae to spin on the hot fusible base material;

A melting step of heating and melting the thermally fusible base material at a temperature at which the silk of the bagworms larvae is not damaged, thermally modified and melted; and

and a separation step of separating the thermally fusible base material from the silk of the bagworms grown on the base material.

6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising, after the spinning step and before the melting step, a recovery step of: and (5) recovering the bagworms larvae and the nests together.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a washing process of: and washing the separated silk of the bagworms larvae.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a drying step of: and drying the separated silk of the bagworms larvae.

9. The method of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the substrate is disposed on a support.

10. The method of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the substrate has a planar shape or a three-dimensional shape.

11. A nonwoven fabric made of silk obtained by using the silk piece production method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, which is silk larvae of bagworms.